Jesus' Team helps Saez have big Claiming Crown day

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Jesus’ Team successfully bridged the gap between his second-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile and his next major goal, the $3 million Pegasus World Cup, with a hard-fought half-length victory over Storm Runner in Saturday’s $150,000 Claiming Crown Jewel at Gulfstream Park.

Jesus’ Team shared top honors with his rider, Luis Saez, who posted six victories on the day; five came in Claiming Crown events.

The total handle of $14.6 million on the 11-race program set a record for a Claiming Crown card, eclipsing the previous mark of $13.9 million established a year ago.

The Jewel, for horses who have started for a claiming price of $35,000 or less in 2019-20, was the richest of nine starter allowance stakes decided in the 22nd edition of the popular Claiming Crown program.

Jesus’ Team, who ran for a claiming price as low as $25,000 earlier this year, has been competitive on the national stage throughout the second half of the season. The 3-year-old son of Tapiture finished fourth in the Grade 1 Haskell, third in the Grade 2 Jim Dandy and third in the Preakness before turning in his best effort yet when runner-up behind the favored Knicks Go in the Dirt Mile. However, he had gone winless in six consecutive starts coming into the 1 1/8-mile Jewel.

:: Click to learn about our DRF's Free Past Performance program.

Jesus’ Team raced within striking distance of the pacesetting Storm Runner for the opening six furlongs, split horses to challenge for command along with Dack Janiel’s once settling into the stretch, forged to a short lead near midstretch, then maintained the advantage under vigorous handling. Storm Runner, who brought a modest two-race win streak into the Jewel, broke alertly and quickly assumed command from the rail, set a relatively brisk pace, dug in willingly when challenged by the favorite, but was not quite good enough. It was another two lengths farther back to the tiring Dack Janiel’s, who was third.

Owned by Group 7C Racing Stable, Jesus’ Team completed the distance in 1:49.30 over a fast track and paid $2.80.

“He only had one work (since the Breeders’ Cup) for this race, which is probably why it was so close at the end, but I’m not worried because I think he is going very well into the Pegasus,” trainer Jose D’Angelo said.

Like the Jewel, the Pegasus will be contested at a mile and one furlong here January 23.

GLASS SLIPPER

Trainer Peter Walder defended his title in the Glass Slipper, not with last year’s winner Liza Star but with recent claim Descente, who drew off to impressive 3 3/4-length victory over Don’t Get Khozy. Liza Star, the tepid 5/2 favorite, finished fifth after engaging in an early speed duel.

The win was the third in a row and sixth in eight starts this season for Descente, haltered by owner-trainer Walder for $6,250 out of a similarly easy victory on Oct. 18 at Gulfstream Park West. Descente, a 4-year-old daughter of Bodemeister, completed a mile in 1:36.99 under Miguel Vasquez and paid $9.20

EXPRESS

Krsto Skye led throughout under two-time defending Gulfstream Park jockey champion Irad Ortiz Jr. to register a popular 1 1/4-length decision over Whyruawesome in the $75,000 Express. Krsto Skye, haltered for $16,000 out of a losing effort on the turf here last February, was returning locally for the first time since finishing second in the Grade 3 Smile Sprint three months earlier.

Krsto Sky, an 8-year-old City Zip gelding trained by Carlos David Jr., returned $3.20 after completing six furlongs in 1:10.14.

DISTAFF DASH

Jakarta showed a bit of a new dimension by rallying from off the pace under Saez to a popular 2 1/4-length decision over the 17-1 Unquoi in the $75,000 Distaff Dash, giving trainer Mike Maker his 18th lifetime Claiming Crown victory. Unquoi outlasted defending champion Thinkin Cowtown by a nose for second.

Jakarta, who was graded stakes-placed on the grass during the fall Keeneland session, paid $3.60 for her fourth win in nine starts this season. Final time for five furlongs over a firm turf course was 56.48.

EMERALD

High Noon Rider turned in the biggest upset on the card, finishing full of run down the center of the course to capture the $95,000 Emerald at odds of 55-1 under Edgard Zayas. Stablemates Temple, the 2-1 favorite, and last year’s Emerald winner, Muggsamatic, finished in a dead heat for second.

High Noon Rider was one of three horses trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. sent out in the Emerald along with Rijeka (7th) and Tusk (8th). Maker ran five of the 12 starters, finishing second through fifth respectively with Temple, Muggsamatic, a troubled Artie’s Rumor, and Hieroglyphics.

High Noon Rider paid $113.00.

RAPID TRANSIT

Avant Garde rallied up the rail under Leonel Reyes to post a half-length victory over Town Classic in the $95,000 Rapid Transit. Miles Ahead, the 2-1 favorite, finished a tiring seventh.

The win was the sixth in seven starts for Avant Garde since being claimed by trainer Jesus Lander for $10,000 here in June. Avant Garde got seven panels in 1:21.90 and posted a $14.80 mutuel.

TIARA

Queens Embrace returned more than half of the $80,000 investment her connections made when claiming the 3-year-old filly out of her most recent start in September at Belmont Park by rallying to a convincing 2 3/4-length decision over 3-2 favorite Sugar Fix in the $95,000 Tiara.

Queens Embrace, trained by Danny Gargan, was graded stakes placed earlier this season, finishing third in the Grade 2 Lake Placid at Saratoga. She gave Saez his fourth win on the card and paid $6.60.

CANTERBURY

Fives were wild after Fiya registered an easy 1 1/2-length victory over Fully Loaded in the $90,000 Canterbury. The win was the fifth straight for the 3-year-old son of Friesan Fire since being switched to the turf to win a maiden $40,000 claiming dash this summer at Laurel, and it was the fifth win on the afternoon for Saez, who confidently rode Fiya on the lead throughout.

Fiya, who transferred to trainer Tom Albertrani’s barn after the second of her five consecutive victories, returned $3.00.

IRON HORSE

Saez closed out his big day aboard Frost or Frippery, who posted a narrow decision over Bobby G in the $75,000 Iron Horse, the pair finishing noses apart after rallying down the center of the course in a wide finale that saw half the 12-horse field still in contention inside the sixteenth pole.

Frost or Frippery was the first horse sent out at the meet by trainer Brad Cox, who will have a division of his potent stable in South Florida during the 2020-2021 Championship meet. Frost or Frippery, who has finished worse than second just once in 13 starts this season with eight victories on the year, paid $8.00.